Rail Professional Magazine (June 2024) Article: What makes an Outstanding Signaller?
Over the years, psychologists at the OPC have collaborated with signallers and control room operatives worldwide to delve into the complexities of their roles. In our most recently published Rail Professional magazine article, Laura Hedley, Senior Occupational Psychologist and an Operations Director with over two decades of signalling experience, shared insights on the vital skills needed to make an outstanding signaller.
The article ran through some of the key Non-Technical Skills (NTS) needed for a signaller’s safe and effective performance. Insights from the Operations Director interview shared how these really play out in the role. Some key NTS detailed were:
| Situational Awareness | Critical for effective decision-making. Outstanding signallers remain composed under pressure, leveraging their situational awareness to maintain smooth and safe operations. |
| Attention to Detail and Vigilance | Signallers must be meticulous, focusing on key details and systematically checking information to ensure accuracy, even under time pressure. |
| Risk Anticipation and Time Focus | Vital for safety, and managing hazards to prevent incidents. Top signallers conduct thorough risk assessments and maintain punctuality. |
| Communication and Team-Working | Effective communication is essential. Strong team-working skills help open communication and collaboration, promoting a positive safety culture. |
“Being a Signaller is more than just a job; it's a crucial role at the heart of rail operations. Signallers are the gatekeepers and custodians of safety for their track sections."
Operations Director
The article shared thoughts on what it’s like to work in both a busy or quieter signalling centre; some of the training and development they undergo, as well as how an outstanding signaller behaves if there is a problem.
The piece also featured some key assessment’s tools that can help to identify candidates with the necessary skills for the role, such as the Risk & Time Focus Questionnaire (RTQ) and the Visual Search Exercise (VSE).
The feature also details some of the OPC’s NTS training and Post-Incident Assessment (PIA) initiatives that can help excellent signallers maintain high safety standards and operational proficiency.
“Despite the pressure, there's a sense of satisfaction knowing that your work directly contributes to the safety of passengers and the smooth running of the railway”
Signaller
You can read the full article here.
Get in touch with the friendly OPC team if you think we can help you identify and develop outstanding Signallers.